Combined timer and distributor eor internal-combustion engines



E. SN'IITH.

COMBINED TIMER AND DISTRIBUTOR FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES.

APPLICATION FILED DEC.8,19ZI.

LAO 3,203.

Patented Jan. 10, 1922.

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E. SMITH.

COMBINED TIMER AND DISTRIBUTOR FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES.

APPLICATION FILED DEC.8. I92I- 1,403,203, Patented Jan. 10, 1922.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

smm

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ELMER SMITH, 0F EON D DU LAC, WISCONSIN.

COMBINED TIMER .A .ND DISTRIBUTOR FOR INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ELMER SMITH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Fond du Lac, in the county of Fond du Lac and State of Wisconsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Combined Timers and Distributors for Internal-Combustion Engines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a combined timer and distributor for internal combustion engines.

An important object of my invention is to I provide a device of the above mentioned character, adapted for'use with a non-vibrating coil, and having the timing means functioning as a vibrator, so that a vibrating or intermittent current is produced in the primary coil, and induced in the secondary coil.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the above mentioned character, which is simple in construction, strong and durable.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for supporting one of the contact elements of the vibrating switch, so that the coacting points are given a lateral wiping action, for maintaining the same clean.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Fig. 1 is a central vertical sectional view through a device embodying the invention,

Fig. 2 is a similar view, taken at a right angle to Figure 1,

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view of the device and associated circuits,

Fig. 4: is a plan view of the device, with parts removed,

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the cap of the eas- Thg. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of the timer wheel, showing the teeth,

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the distributor arm, and,

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary section through the leaf spring support.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention,-the numeral 10 designates a tubular support, which may be vertically arranged, and pivotally receives a tu- Specification of Letters Patent. Patented J an, 10, 1922, Application filed December 8, 1921.

Serial No. 520,920.

bular sleeve 11, having a flange 12. The sleeve 11 has a port 13, leading to its bore. A screw threaded extension 14 receives a screw threaded tube 15 of a grease cup 16, of any well known or referred type. The sleeve 11 has a casing 1 secured to its upper end, preferably formed integral therewith. This casing carries the operating elements of the timer and is equipped with a radial arm 18, by means of which the casing may turn upon its ivot to retard or advance the spark.

Exten ing longitudinally through the tubular support 11 is an operating shaft 19, driven by the cam shaft of the engine, to which it is suitably geared. The upper end of this shaft is journaled in the sleeve 11. The shaft 19 extends into the casing 17, and a timing element or wheel 20 is mounted upon the reduced end of this shaft and is rigidly held thereon by means of a clamping nut 21. The element 20 is provided with sets of vibrating elements or extensions 22, which are suitably spaced. Four sets of these elements are shown, as the device is designed for use with a four cylinder engine, but it is obvious that the sets will be increased or decreased, in accordance with the number of cylinders of the engine. The vibrating ele- Each extension or tooth 22 has its leading face 22 relatively long, and of a gradual incline, and its rear face 23 shorter, and at a steep pitch. The end 24 of the tooth is rounded. This construction is preferably employed, to prevent injury to parts, in case of the back fire of the engine. By providing a plurality of teeth or extensions in each set, the non-vibrating coil is made to function as a vibrating coil, while I contemplate using only one tooth, in each set, if desired, and the device would operate with some degree of success with one tooth.

The numeral 23 designates a cap, preferably formed of insulating material, which is mounted upon the casing 17, and suitably held thereon. This cap constitutes a chamher for the operating elements of the distributor. The distributor embodies a radial insulating distributor arm or block 24, having a. central opening 25, to receive an extension 26 formed upon the top of the shaft 19. The arm 24 is provided with an opening 27 receiving a pin 28, secured to the element or wheel 20. It is thus seen that the distributor arm 24 and the wheel 20 will rotate together, and the distributor arm may be readily removed from the extension 26, when desired.

Mounted upon the insulating arm 24 is a metallic element 29, the outer end of which is preferably segmental, providing a relatively long edge 30. A spring 31 is mounted upon the contact element 29, and extends inwardly radially, and has a contact head 32. The numeral 33 designates a contact element, adapted to engage the contact element 32. The contact element 33 is arranged centrally of the cap 23 and is connected with a metallic element 34. The numeral 35 designates stationary metallic elements, carried by the cap 23. These stationary metallic elements are arranged in a circular group, surrounding the contact element 33, and concentric in relation thereto. Particular attention is called to the fact that the elements 35 are spaced radially from the outer end of the distributor element 29, thus providing a gap between the distributor element and the element 35, when these elements are brought in proximity to each other. This gap is preferably although this distance may be varied, within certain limits I provide a vibratin switch, for co-action with the timing element or wheel 20, including an outer contact element or plunger 36, mounted within a sleeve 37, having an opening 38 at its inner end, and a flange 39. The contact element or plunger 36 projects inwardly beyond the sleeve 37 and is equipped with a contact point 40, which may be formed of platinum or light material The contact element or plunger 36 is provided with a ring or shoulder 41, rigidly secured thereto, adapted to engage the flange 39. The ring 41 is engaged by a compressi-' ble coil spring 42, the opposite end of which is engaged by a sleeve nut 43, having screw threaded engagement within the sleeve 37. The sleeve 37 is mounted within an insulating bushing 44 and is clamped therein by a ring nut 45 and flange 46. The bushing 44 is held within an opening 47, formed in the casing 17. The numeral 48 designates a coacting contact element or plunger, equipped at its outer end with a contact which may be platinum or the ike. The contact element or plunger 48 is carried by a suitably stifi and resilient normally straight leaf spring 49. The leaf spring 49 has a central opening 49" receiving the plunger, which is clamped to the spring by rings 50, which are shrunk upon the plunger. The leaf spring 49 has one end clamped within a binding post 50, which is thoroughly insulated from the casing 17 and mounted thereon. This bind post has electrical connection with a wire 51. The opposite end of the leaf spring 49 is slidably mounted within a slot 52. of a binding post 53, which is mounted within the casing 17 and insulated therefrom. The leaf spring 49 is sufliciently stifi so that it normally retains its straight condition and will not vibrate, until acted upon by the vibrating elements. One end of this leaf spring being slidably mounted, it is obvious that the contact element 48 will partake of a slight lateral movement, when being moved longitudinal, and this produces a lateral wiping action between the contact points 40 and 49, keeping the same clean. The contact element or plunger 48 has its forward end in the form of a tooth or point 54, arranged in the path of travel of the sets of teeth 22. A wire is connected with the outer end of the contact element or plunger 36.

As clearly shown in Fig. 3, the primary circuit includes the wire 55, which is grounded at 56. The wire 51 is connected with one end of the primary coil 57. the opposite end of which is connected with a wire 58, connected with one pole 59 of a magneto 60 or other source of current. The other pole 61 of this magneto is connected with a wire 62, grounded at 63. The secondary circuit comprises a secondary coil 64, one end or which is connected with a wire 65, grounded at 66. The opposite end of the coil 64 has connection with a wire 67. which is connected with the central metallic element 34 and is in electrical connection with the spring 31 and distributor segment or element 29. The metallic elements are connected with wires 68, which are connected with the spark plugs 69, the opposite electrodes of which are grounded at 70.

The operation of the device is as follows:

lVith the dynamo 60 operating, upon the rotation of the shaft 19, the distributor element 29 is brought by each element 35. While the distributor element 29 is passing in proximity to the element 35. the set of the teeth 22 are engaging and passing the contact element 48 of the switch. This will cause the contact element 48 to rapidly vibrate or reciprocate for a selected number of movements, depending upon the number of teeth in the set. lVhen the contact point 49 engages the contact point 40', a circuit will be closed in the primary circuit. In this circuit, current will flow from one pole of the dynamo 60 through the wire 58, primary coil 57, wire 51, binding post 50, spring 49, contact element or plunger 48, contact element or plunger 36, wire 55, ground 56,

ground 63, and through wire 62 back to the opposite pole of the magneto 60. It is obvious that this circuit will be opened and closed intermittently, whereby a vibrating circuit 'is produced. This will induce 9. cur rent in the coil 64, and when the distributor element 29 is adjacent the element 35, which always occurs when the vibrating circuit is operated, a vibrating current will be in duced in the secondary circuit, such current flowing from one end of the coil 64, through wire 67, element 34, spring 31, distributor element 29, element 35. wire 68, through the spark plug 69, ground 70, ground 66, and wire 65, back to the opposite pole of the coil 64. It is obvious that in the secondary circuit, a vibrating spark is produced at the gap between the distributor element 29 and the element 35, which are spaced apart for a distance of preferably This gap has been found to intensify the spark at the gap between the electrodes of the spark plug. It is thus seen that an intermittent spark is produced at the spark plug, of great intensity. 1

It is to beunderstood that the form of my invention herewith shown and described, is

to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of my invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

, Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a device of the character described, a rotatable Wheel provided upon its periphery with a-plurality .of spaced sets of radially exteriding teeth, a leaf spring arranged near the periphery of the wheel, means to support one end of the leaf spring and hold the same against movement, guide means slidably receiving the opposite end of the leaf spring, a contact element carried by the leaf spring between the holding means and the guide means, said contact element having one end thereof disposed in the path of travel of said sets of teeth to thereby, and a co-acting contact arranged nearthe first named contact and adapted to be engaged thereby.

2. n a device of the character described,

i a rotatable wheel provided upon its periphcry with a plurality of spaced sets of radially extending teeth, a relatively heavy leaf springarranged near the peripher of the wheel, means to support one end of the leaf spring and hold the same against movement, guide means slidably receiving the 'opbe reciprocatedposite end of the leaf spring, a contact element carried by the leaf spring between the holding means and the guide means, said contact element having one end thereof held by the leaf spring in engagement with the periphery of the wheel between the sets of teeth so that it will not vibrate to any considerable extent between these sets of teeth, such contact element being reciprocated by the sets of teeth when engaging therewith, and a co-acting contact element arranged outwardly of and near the first named contact element.

3. In a device of the character described, a rotatable wheel provided upon its periphery with a plurality of spaced sets of radially extending teeth, the teeth in each set having their leading faces longer than their trailing faces and such leading faces arranged at a slighter angle than the trailing faces, a leaf spring arranged near the periphery of the wheel, means for supporting and holding one end of the leaf spring against movement, guide means slidably receiving the opposite end of the leaf spring, an element carried by the leaf spring between the holding means and the guide means and adapted to be engaged by the sets of teeth, a contact element carried by the leaf spring, and a co-acting contact element ar ranged near the first named contact element.

4. In a device of the character described, a'rotatable Wheel provided near its periphery with spaced sets of teeth, a leaf sprmg arranged near the periphery of the wheel, means for supporting one end of the leaf spring and holding the same against movement, guide means slidably receiving the opposite end of the leaf spring, a contact element carried by one end thereof arranged in the path of travel of said teeth, a second reciprocatory contact element .-:rranged near the first named contact element, and yielding means to oppose the longitudinal movement of the reciprocatory contact element away from the first named contact element. I

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

ELMER SMITH. 

